Hinged and segmented pipe

ABSTRACT

A rigid pipe ( 1 ) is achieved according to the invention in that half-cylinder shaped elements ( 2 ) are joined/hinged ( 3 ) to each other and where to a such chains are connected together with their concave sides in a zipper-like motion. The two half-cylindrical chains are spooled ( 13 ) up individually on each side of a housing ( 12 ). This result in a particularly rigid pipe of varying length with a wide area of use.

The present invention relates to a hinged and segmented pipe having along stroke-length that can be used in machines, tools, constructions oras an independent unit.

The prior art comprises solutions such as cylinders, telescopiccylinders, rack-and-pinion devices, threaded poles, manipulators,scissor-actuated lifts, coiled pipes, or combinations thereof.

From U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,203 is known a device for drilling oil wells.This device comprises two rack-and-pinion elements having an H-profilein a guide that among other things raises and lowers a pipe in adrilling tower.

The most important inventive features in relation to the prior art are:

-   -   Longer stroke-length, more compact. Smaller dimensions when        assembled.    -   Simpler design, less expensive, faster to produce, less        expensive spare parts.    -   Adapted for the mounting of various tools at the end of the        pipe.    -   Simple drive unit that does not require large amounts of        hydraulic fluid.    -   Large capacity (power) and speed

A rigid pipe of varying length (1) is achieved according to theinvention in that half-cylinder shaped elements (2) are hinged (3) toeach other and in that the concave sides of two of such chains areconnected together in a zipper-like motion.

The two half-cylindrical chains are rolled up on the each side of thepipe.

In a zipper-like motion, the opposing half-cylindrical elements (2) arelocked (4) to each other with the object of preventing the pipe fromcoming apart/becoming deformed under a load.

The pipe elements are rolled (13) together in a housing (12) comprisinga spool arrangement (5) and a guide (6) that leads the two halvestogether. In addition, the housing comprises a drive unit (7) thatmaneuvers the assembled pipe (1) out and in.

The drive unit (7) can function using a threaded pipe-,rack-and-pinion-, active spooling-, or friction principle. With thelast-mentioned type, the elements can have a smooth surface. The driveunit will thus function in a similar manner as for a coiled pipe. In thecase of a threaded pipe (8) and rack-and-pinion systems, the elementsmust have threads or teeth respectively. One can envision an activespool arrangement (5) that drives the pipe (1) out.

The purpose of the guide (6) is to lead the two halves together or apartfrom each other and to prevent rotation of the pipe.

The half-cylindrical elements (2) can be reinforced with internal crosswalls (10) and longitudinal ribs (11) to increase in the mechanicalstrength of the connected pipe (1).

1. A rigid pipe of varying length (1) characterized in thathalf-cylinder shaped elements (2) are hinged (3) to each other and thattwo of such “chains” oriented with their concave sides are connectedtogether in a zipper-like motion and are locked (4) to each other withthe intention of preventing the pipe (1) from coining apart/becomingdeformed under a load.
 2. The device according to claim 1, characterizedin that the two half-cylinder shaped chains are individually rolled upinto two spools (13).
 3. The device according to claim
 1. characterizedin that the elements (2) have threads (8) and are driven out/in of thehousing (12) of a rotating drive unit.
 4. The device according to claim1, characterized in that the elements have teeth and are driven out/inof the housing (12) with the help of the rack-and-pinion principle. 5.The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements (2)have a smooth surface whereby rollers or chains are pressed against theelements and drive the pipe out/in of the housing by the help offriction.
 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that theelements (2) have a smooth surface and are driven out/in of the housing(12) by the help of an active spool arrangement (5).
 7. The deviceaccording to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that aguide (6) forces together the two chains in a zipper-like motion.
 8. Thedevice according to one more of the preceding claims characterized inthat a drive unit (7) (motor) drives the pipe out/in of the housing(12).
 9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claimscharacterized in that the half-cylinder shaped chains elements (2) arereinforced with, internal cross walls (10) and/or longitudinal ribs (11)in order to increase the mechanical strength of the assembled pipe (1).10. The device-according to one or more of the preceding claimscharacterized in that the half-cylinder shaped chain elements (2) have agroove/slot (9) that is maneuvered into the guide (6) to preventrotation of the pipe (1).
 11. The device according to one or more thepreceding claims characterized in that the pipe terminates in a sleevecoupling (14) capable of receiving instrumentation/external equipmentwith free access to a cable etc. through the pipe (1).
 12. The deviceaccording to one or more the preceding claims characterized in that theelements (2) are hinged together manually (FIG. 4) and are similarlylocked (4) to the opposing element in a zipper-like motion.